Pope Benedict XVI: Construct a Civilisation of Love
(22 Aug 10 - RV) Pope Benedict during his Angelus at Castelgandolfo Pope Benedict
urged people to build a civilisation of love, where there is the absurd logic of violence:
“Mary Queen
of Peace, pray for us so that all people will be persuaded that in this world we must
help each other as brothers to build the civilization of love". Those were Pope Benedict
XVI’s words to the faithful, on Sunday, before reciting the Angelus prayer in the
Courtyard of the Papal Summer Residence at Castelgandolfo.
The Pope recalled
that Sunday’s liturgy, eight days after the feast of the Assumption, makes us venerate
the Virgin under the title of Queen, because - he explained - Mary is the first that
passed through the "Road" opened by Christ leading to the Kingdom of God, a way accessible
to the poor, those who trust the word of God and who are committed to putting it into
practice: “Today’s Gospel reminds us that the way to heaven is through the narrow
door. May we enter through this narrow door by means of prayer, humility and service
of our neighbours, and thus live the joy of the Kingdom even now.” "We entrust to
her intercession - said the pope - the daily prayer for peace, especially where at
times there is the absurd logic of violence". The Madonna is in fact "an example of
the Gospel truth in which God humbles the proud and powerful of this world and raises
the lowly".
During the Pope’s greetings to pilgrims, the Holy Father speaking
in French urged nations to welcome diverse nationalities and invited parents to educate
their children in the way of universal brotherhood. Following his greetings in various
languages including English, Pope Benedict was treated to a musical interlude after
which he praised the musicians and thanked them for their performance.